Appointed Judge David Strong is appointed no more after securinga victory Tuesday in the race for the 14th Circuit Court Place 2seat.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Strong claimed victorylate Tuesday with 74 percent of the vote. Strong captured 13,631district votes to outpace challenger Michael Shareef’s 4,676votes.

“I’m excited to be elected. I appreciate the voters turningout,” Strong said Wednesday morning. “I didn’t know what to expect.This was my first race of any kind.”

Strong was appointed Aug. 1 by Gov. Haley Barbour to finish theterm of Judge Mike Smith, who retired in May. He had a privatepractice in McComb.

The judge said he does not believe the appointment gave him muchof an edge in the election, but it would be hard to gauge itseffects.

“I’m sure it didn’t hurt me, but it’s difficult to know one wayor another,” he said.

Strong won Lincoln County with 82.5 percent of the vote. Hecollected 5,759 votes here to Shareef’s 1,220.

The judge said he will not be in court today because he left hisdocket free to rest after a long, hard-fought campaign. His respitewill be short-lived, however.

“I think I’m back on the bench Monday in Pike County,” hesaid.

The Fourteenth Circuit Court District includes Lincoln, Pike andWalthall counties.

Judge Mike Taylor, another Barbour appointee, was unopposed forthe Place 1 seat.